CHAPTER ONE- AIDEN'S INTERVIEW

Aiden Shaw entered the building, that was the great VanDermere Global. He walked in and went directly to the elevator. It dingled as some employees stormed out.

He then entered into the elevator and press the button for floor 78... As of then the nervous body kicked in, he adjusted his collar in the elevator's mirror, acting like he didn't see the sweat soaking through.

VanDermere Global. The name alone held so much weight. One of the most prominent and powerful design-consulting empires in the world. You just don't apply to work there. You aspire to. Dreamed of it in dorm rooms. Fought for it in boardrooms. Bled for a shot at this exact moment.

Now here he was.

He shifted the leather folder in his hands, his portfolio, resume, references… and tried possibly not to think about how many sleepless nights went into it. His mother's hospital bills are already pulled up and waiting for him. Rent was already two months overdue. If this didn't work out…

He didn't let the thought finish.

The elevator dingled, sleek and quiet, as if the sound had a salary. Floor 78. Executive level. The air smelled like polished wood, vibes of cold money, and imported espresso.

A young woman with a VanDermere ID clipped to her blouse stepped out from a glass office. “Aiden Shaw?"

He stood. "Yes.”

She smiled like she practiced it in the mirror . “Follow me. You're next."

As he trailed behind her, his heart was beating like a wardrum against his ribs. He already passed the first three rounds of the junior exec program. The online screening video interviews, and a brutal design test.

This was the final stage. Face-to-face with top level department leads. Where you prove you're not just smart, you prove you belong there.

The door she stopped at was immaculate, translucent glass. Gold script humming with power.

The woman knocked, then opened the door. “Mr. Shaw." She said,

Inside, sunlight pouring through those tall windows. Two men sat across a polished steel desk. One was older, commanding without saying a word; Harold VanDermere himself. His grey hair was combed straight back, expression unreadable.

Next to him is a man that made Aiden stop breathing for half a second.

He was probably in his late twenties. Tailored in his navy blue suit. Sharp cheekbones. A jaw that curved by intent. His hair, dark brown, thick, carelessly finger-combed strands falling where they pleased. His eyes, however, were indeed a problem.

Blue… like the color of a frozen twilight. Focused. Like he literally saw everything and gave away nothing.

Aiden felt his throat dry… tighten.

“This is Aiden Shaw," the assistant said. “Candidate for the junior exec program."

“Thank you," Harold said, his voice rich, very warm. “We'll take it from here." Harold replied.

The assistant left.

Aiden stepped forward. "Mr. VanDermere. Mr. Vince. Thank you for having me.”

Julian Vince nodded. "Please sit."

He did.

Harold leaned back. “I have read your file. Strong design scores. Practical experience. Top of your class. But also… opinionated. With your traits for challenging authority.”

Aiden blinked. "I… Well, I believe creativity thrives with hard work, sir.”

Julian's lips quirked. Just a little. Not quite a smile. But amusement?

"Tell us what you think of VanDermere Global,” Harold continued. "As a company.”

Aiden took a breath. "It's intimidating, definitely!”

Harold looks at him.

"But also inspiring," Aiden said quickly. it presents excellence. High standards. Legacy. Is a kind of place that doesn't just chase trends, it sets them, creating its own trend.

Julian folded his hands together on the table. “And yet you almost didn't apply.”

That shook him.

“How ?"

"Your email draft?,” Julian said. "You typed, deleted, and typed again, before sending it in–three minutes before the deadline. That only entails hesitation. Fear. Or even something else.”

Aiden stared at him.

“How the hell did he know that?”. He muttered to himself

Julian didn't even blink. “We track application behavior. It's the company's policy to know all these."

“I submitted because I wanted this," Aiden said firmly now. “Not just the paycheck or the prestige. I want to create something that lasts. And this company; this position, is a place where that happens." He added.

Harold nodded. "Good answer.”

But it was Julian who kept watching. "And what happens then, if you don't get it?”

"I'll try again,” Aiden replied. "And again. Until I do.”

Julian leaned back slightly. "Or until it breaks you.”

Silence. You can hear the sound of a pin that fell, the question shouldn't have caused this,but it did…

His heart was beating so fast he could hear it. “Maybe. But the thing here is this Sir, some people don't have that luxury."

Julian's expression remained the same, but something definitely changed in his eyes. Like a flick. Something Aiden couldn't read

Harold closed the folder. "That'll be all, Mr. Shaw. We'll contact you by Friday.”

Aiden rose, his heart pounding… “Thank you.” He said.

As he left, he noticed eyes following him. That was Julian's eyes, watching like they knew something.

No. Not knew, judging

Those eyes were definitely being judgmental…

He stepped out into the hall, the door was shut behind him.

Back in the office, Julian sat very still.

Harold sipped his coffee. “He's good."

“He's dangerous," Julian replied quietly.

Harold smirked. “So were you."

Julian looked out the window, as he watched Aiden disappear around the corner.

“Let's see how long he lasts."